Birding at Sleeping Bear Dunes 033111

A Publication of
Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes
Copyright 2009, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes
P.O. Box 545, Empire, MI 49630
www.friendsofsleepingbear.org
Second Edition 2011
This booklet was written by Alice Van Zoeren,
and produced by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Thank you to Tom Ford, Chip Francke, Carl Freeman, Leonard Graf,
Edith Overlease, Bill Scharf and many others who provided data
and support.
Cedar Waxwings
Cover:
Trumpeter Swans with the Sleeping Bear Dunes in the background.
All photos by Alice Van Zoeren unless otherwise credited
Introduction
Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore (SBDNL) is a great
place to go birding. Two
hundred eighty species of birds
have been seen in the park. A
diversity of habitats provides
nesting and feeding areas for
many kinds of birds, and the
American Robin
Lake Michigan shoreline
funnels birds into the area during migrations, increasing the numbers
of species and of individuals.
Birds are most easily found from April through July, while they are
setting up territories and breeding. However, with persistence, one
can observe interesting bird activity any time of year.
Birds can be found throughout the park. The
locations suggested in this guide are just a
beginning. By visiting different habitats one is
likely to observe more species.
Begin your birding trip with a stop at the
Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center in Empire
(on M-72 just east of the intersection with M22) to pick up a park pass and maps. The
directions to suggested birding locations in
this guide begin at the intersection of M-22
and M-72 for either a northern or southern
tour of some good birding sites in the park.
There are also excellent birding opportunities
Pileated Woodpecker
on both North and South Manitou Islands.
Information about visiting the islands is available at the Visitor Center
in Empire or on the SBDNL website—www.nps.gov/slbe.
Contents





Directions to some good birding locations...................…....pg. 2-5
Endangered and threatened birds in the park ..................pg. 6-9
Park map ........................................................................................….pg 10-11
Annotated bird checklist ..........................................................…pg. 12-19
Suggested references for more information .......................pg. 20
1
Two Birding Tours
(Refer to the map on pages 10 and 11)
Northern route
The Mill Pond and Little Glen Lake:
From Empire, go 2 miles north on
M-22 . Turn left on M-109 and
follow it 3.5 miles, passing the
Dune Climb. Turn right into the
Glen Lake Picnic Area parking lot.
The Mill Pond is across the road.
During the summer look for
wood ducks, great blue herons,
The Mill Pond and Dunes
green herons, warblers,
swallows, woodpeckers and more. Rails, bitterns and egrets are
sometimes found here. During migration, waterfowl can be seen on the
Mill Pond and Little Glen Lake.
Glen Haven and Sleeping Bear Point:
Continue north from the Mill Pond, travelling straight until you reach
Sleeping Bear Bay at Glen Haven. You can also turn left in Glen Haven and
follow the road past the Maritime Museum to its end at the Sleeping Bear
Point Trailhead.
During migration watch for waterfowl in
Sleeping Bear Bay and hike the shoreline
to find shorebirds, American pipits and
horned larks. In summer, look for
chimney swifts, and barn and bank
swallows in the Glen Haven area. Piping
plovers and spotted sandpipers nest near
the shore and eastern towhees sing near
Snowy Owl
the road to the Sleeping Bear Point Trailhead.
In winter, look for waterfowl on Sleeping Bear Bay and flocks of snow
buntings and an occasional snowy owl on the dunes. There is always a
chance of finding unusual gulls on the pilings in the lake at Glen Haven.
Tucker Lake:
Retrace your route back through Glen Haven; then turn left on M-109
toward Glen Arbor. After turning, travel 3 miles, going straight through
Glen Arbor. Turn right on County 675; then left on Westman Road.
Immediately on your right is a dirt road that leads to Tucker Lake.
2
During migration this is a good spot to look
for waterfowl and hawks. During summer
swallows, woodpeckers and other cavitynesters use the many standing dead trees,
and herons and pied-billed grebes hunt the
waters.
Fields and Wetlands of Port Oneida:
Continue north on Westman Road to M-22.
Turn right and go 2 miles to Port Oneida Road.
Turn left here; then right on Kelderhouse
Road. Walking along Kelderhouse Road is a
good way to find birds in this area.
Purple Finch
In spring and summer look for field-nesting
birds; you may find eastern meadowlarks, American kestrels, eastern
bluebirds, upland sandpipers and bobolinks. If you are very lucky you
might see a sedge wren, sandhill crane or Wilson’s snipe. Raptors
often soar above the nearby hills, especially during migration in late
April and early May.
Narada Lake:
Continue driving along Kelderhouse Road (making stops at the beaver
pond and in the fields near Baker Road). Turn right on Basch Road. Turn
left on M-22 and go about a half mile until you see Narada Lake on your
left. Park well off the road and follow the path by the old log schoolhouse
to look out over the lake.
During the summer in this beaverenlarged lake and wetlands you may see
common loons nesting. While the loons
are nesting the lake is closed to all
boating so they can successfully raise
their young. The variety of habitats in
the area attracts a wide diversity of
birds. Watch for bald eagles, green
herons, tree swallows, great-crested
flycatchers, rose-breasted grosbeaks
and Baltimore orioles. Many kinds of
waterfowl stop here during migration.
Green Heron
3
Good Harbor Bay:
Continue along M-22 to the east, 2 miles. Turn north (left) on County 669 at
the barn with murals, and follow it to Lake Michigan. From here you can
turn east (right) on the dirt road that parallels the shore, and follow it to its
end for good shoreline and foredune birding.
From April through June and again in August and September look along
the shoreline of Good Harbor Bay for migrating shorebirds, and scan
the lake for migrating waterfowl. During the summer this is an area
where pine, prairie, and black-throated green warblers nest. In
summer you might see and hear fledgling merlins begging to be fed.
Southern route
Fields Along Stormer Road:
From Empire, turn South on M-22 for 1.7
miles. Turn right on Stormer Rd. (formerly
Norconk)
In spring and early summer this is a
wonderful place to find open-field birds.
Look for upland sandpipers, American
kestrels, bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks
and eastern bluebirds. Red-tailed hawks
and northern harriers are also sometimes
seen here. In winter an occasional roughlegged hawk hunts these fields.
Trail to the Treat Farm:
Red-winged Blackbird
Continue along Norconk Rd. until it makes a sharp left bend. Park here and
walk the old road, behind the gate, that continues west through the woods.
Hike this trail through mature hardwoods on May and June mornings
and evenings to hear hermit and wood thrushes, scarlet tanagers, rosebreasted grosbeaks and ovenbirds. If you follow the trail past the farm
to the bluff, you may get good looks at common ravens and bald eagles
as well as a great shoreline view.
Otter Creek Area:
Continue along the dirt road (Aral Hills) to the south for 2.5 miles, watching
for hawks, kestrels and upland sandpipers along the way. When the road
ends, turn right and follow Esch Rd. to Lake Michigan. This is a good
shoreline access. Hike the nearby dirt road to the south along Otter Creek
for excellent birding.
4
During late May, Otter Creek is the best
place in the park to find migrating
warblers. This is also a likely place to see
bald eagles. In summer look in the woods
along the road for scarlet tanagers and
Baltimore orioles. Indigo buntings nest
near the end of Esch Rd. Sandhill cranes,
herons, rails and waterfowl frequent the
creek and wetlands.
Platte River Mouth:
Drive back east on Esch Road until you reach
M-22. Turn right and drive 6 miles to the
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Platte River. Turn right on Lake Michigan Road
and follow it to the end. The best birding is across the river. Cross behind
the restrooms (the water will be 2-2 ½ feet deep) and follow the path over
the dune to the shore. From April to August there will be rope fencing to
protect the piping plover nesting area. Walking along the beach outside
the rope fence is allowed. The river edges are also good places to bird.
This is the best place in the park to find shorebirds. During the
summer look for piping plovers, spotted sandpipers, killdeer and also
Caspian terns. During migration greater and lesser yellowlegs,
sanderlings, least and semipalmated
sandpipers, dunlins, ruddy
turnstones, semipalmated plovers
and other shorebirds can be found.
Lucky birders might find a
whimbrel, willet, Baird’s sandpiper
or other unusual species.
Lake Michigan
Ruddy Turnstones
Throughout the Park you can reach Lake Michigan at many access points.
During winter and migration, many waterbirds spend time on Lake
Michigan. Looking out over Lake Michigan from any location you may
see common goldeneyes, common and red-breasted mergansers,
common loons, horned and red-necked grebes, buffleheads, longtailed ducks and white-winged scoters. In summer watch for Caspian
terns. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the recently reintroduced
trumpeter swans.
5
Endangered and Threatened Birds in the Park
Endangered and threatened species are those
which are having difficulty surviving in a
particular area—either the United States, in the
case of federally listed species, or a particular
state, for a state-listed species. Two endangered
and eight threatened bird species are regularly
seen at SBDNL. Three more species that are
endangered in Michigan—peregrine falcon, shortPiping Plover - 11 days old
eared owl and loggerhead shrike—and one
Michigan threatened species—long-eared owl— have been seen
occasionally. When these species are encountered take special care to
avoid disturbing them. If they are watching you, giving alarm calls or
seeming in any way bothered by your presence, move away. Watch
quietly from a distance and you can observe their activities without
harming their chances for survival. This is proper etiquette for any
wildlife observation, but in the case of declining species it is of
paramount importance.
Endangered Birds
 Piping Plover - (Federal and
Michigan endangered) The piping
plover is a very rare shorebird.
There are three breeding
populations: on the Atlantic
Coast, in the Great Lakes and in
the northern Great Plains.
Although they winter together on the southern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,
the populations separate during the breeding season. The Great Lakes
population is listed as endangered. SBDNL is home to the largest
concentration of breeding piping plovers in the Great Lakes region. In
2010, 23 of the 60 breeding pairs in the Great Lakes population were
located at SBDNL. The best place to observe piping plovers is at Platte
Point. The nesting area is south of the river. Much of the point is roped
off to protect the nests and young, but they can be observed from along
the shoreline outside the fencing. A detailed brochure about piping
plovers is available at the visitor center in Empire and on the park
website-www.nps.gov/slbe.
6
 Prairie Warbler – (Michigan Endangered)
Prairie warblers nest in junipers in the
sparsely vegetated dunes near the Lake
Michigan shore. This is a habitat that is often
developed in areas outside the park. Michigan
is at the northern limit of their breeding
range; they are more common in the
southeastern US, but their population is
declining overall. Listen for their ascending
buzzy song in foredunes near County 669 or
along Platte Bay.
Threatened Birds (All are on the Michigan Threatened Species list)
 Merlin – Merlins are small dark falcons.
The most likely place to see one is along the
shoreline. If you become familiar with its call
-- a strident and repeated, high “kee, kee, kee,
kee”-- you will stand the best chance of seeing
one as it zips by. In July the fledglings can be
found sitting in the open on tree branches,
demanding to be fed. They eat smaller birds
that are often caught in flight. The number of
nesting merlins at SBDNL has been increasing
in recent years. The photo shows a hatch-year
merlin.
 Red-shouldered Hawk – A medium-sized
hawk of woodlands and swamps. To
recognize it in flight look for translucent
crescents near the wing tips, and a striped
tail. Listen for the descending “keer” call,
often duplicated by blue jays. The redshouldered hawk makes its nest of sticks high
in a tall tree. The same nest may be used for
many years, though each year additional
sticks and an edging of fresh evergreen
branches are added.
7
 Common Loon – Known for
its stirring yodel, most common
loons seen at SBDNL are
migrants moving through the
area to and from northern
nesting sites. A pair has nested
in recent years at Narada Lake
in the park. During the nesting
season the lake is closed to
boats to protect the loon chicks,
but they can be observed from vantage points
along the shore. In late summer loons
frequently can be heard and seen in Platte,
Good Harbor, and Sleeping Bear Bays.
 Least Bittern – If you see a least bittern, you
are a very lucky birder. They spend most of
their time deep in marsh vegetation hunting
for fish, insects, tadpoles, frogs and other
small prey. Their low cooing calls can
sometimes be heard at the Mill Pond or Otter
Creek, but they are seldom seen. An adult was
observed feeding young chicks at the
Mill Pond in 2003.
 Trumpeter Swan – Trumpeter
swans were reintroduced to SBDNL
in 2006. They are now sometimes
seen on Lake Michigan and inland
lakes such as Platte and Otter.
Trumpeters can be distinguished
from non-native mute swans by
their straight, entirely black bills
(no orange) and their deep
resonant honking.
 Caspian Tern – Caspian terns
may be found anywhere along the
shore of Lake Michigan, but the
best place to see them is at Platte
Point. They are distinctive gullsized birds, with large red bills,
8
black caps, and loud rasping calls. In spring the males court mates by
offering them small fish and by performing spectacular flight displays.
 Common Tern and Forster’s Tern - These small terns are
occasionally seen on
beaches at SBDNL. They
are about half as big as a
Caspian tern and difficult
to tell apart.
Special Concern (All are on the Michigan Special Concern List)
Species of special concern are those with populations that are showing
serious declines, or for which endangered or threatened status is
being considered. Several species of special concern are found at
SBDNL including two for which this is good news. The Bald Eagle and
the Osprey were recently upgraded
from threatened to special concern.
 Bald Eagle – Bald eagles are often
seen along the shorelines of Lake
Michigan. Although the adult bald
eagle is unmistakable with its white
Hatch-year Bald Eagle
head and tail, this plumage doesn’t develop until the bird is five years
old. In the first year a bald eagle is mostly dark overall; it then shows
varying amounts and patterns of white during the next four years
before it reaches the
familiar adult plumage.
 Osprey - A fish-eating
raptor seen occasionally
along the Lake Michigan
shoreline. Look for the
distinct bend in the wing
and the dark line through
the eye. They are not
known to nest in SBDNL,
though they do nest nearby.
Other species of special concern that have been seen in the park are:
American Bittern, Black-crowned Night-heron, Northern Goshawk,
Northern Harrier, Common Moorhen, Wilson’s Phalarope, Blackbacked Woodpecker, Marsh Wren, Cerulean Warbler, Prothonatory
Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Dicksissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, Western
Meadowlark and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
9
10
NF - Norconk Fields – Fields
TF - Treat Farm trail -- Beech-Maple Forest
OC - Otter Creek – Shore, Inland waters, Wetland, Beech-Maple Forest,
Oak-Pine Forest
PP - Platte Point -- Shore, Inland Waters, Dunes
LM - Lake Michigan off-shore – Open Lake
Location Codes and Habitat Types
GHB - Good Harbor Bay – Shore, Dunes, Oak-Pine Forest
NL - Narada Lake – Inland Waters, Wetland, Beech-Maple Forest
PO - Port Oneida Fields – Fields, Wetland
TL - Tucker Lake – Inland Waters, Wetland
SB - Sleeping Bear Point/Glen Haven – Dunes, Oak-Pine Forest, Shore
MP – Millpond – Inland Waters, Wetland, Dunes
11
Key to the Checklist
Abundance
- Sp=Mar-May; Su=Jun-Aug; Fa=Sep-Nov; Wi=Dec-Feb
- Common (C) – Likely to be seen in the appropriate habitat.
- Uncommon (U) – Not usually seen even in appropriate habitat.
- Rare (R) – Present every year in very small numbers.
- Occasional (O) – Not usually present in this area, but there are
records of occurrence. (O*) - Three or fewer records.
- Irruptive (I) – Irregularly present, sometimes in large numbers.
Status
- Endangered (E) – Population is in immediate danger of extinction or
extirpation (total loss from a particular area).
- Threatened (T) – Numbers are low and declining. Likely to become
endangered if there is no intervention.
- Special Concern (SC) – Very rare or declining numbers.
- Exotic (Ex) – Not native to this area.
- Breeding (B) – Breeds at Sleeping Bear Dunes. (B?) – May breed at
Sleeping Bear Dunes but it hasn’t yet been confirmed.
Locations, Habitats, Notes
Locations given are places the species has been found. No location is
given if the species is encountered rarely or in random locations. Refer
to the map on the
previous pages for
location codes.
Nst = Nesting
Mig = Migration
Note:
The following checklist reflects
the species order used in The
Sibley Field Guide to Birds of
Eastern North America. (2003)
Recent research has resulted in
changes in our understanding of
the relationships between bird
families and therefore the order
of the list. The new order will
be reflected in this booklet once
most field guides have been
updated.
12
Scarlet Tanager
Checklist – 283 Species
Species
√ Sp
LOONS AND GREBES
Common Loon
C
Red-throated Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
U
Horned Grebe
U
Red-necked Grebe
O
Eared Grebe
PELICANS AND CORMORANTS
American White Pelican
O
Double-crested Cormorant
C
BITTERNS, EGRETS AND HERONS
American Bittern
R
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
U
Great Egret
R
Snowy Egret
O*
Cattle Egret
O*
Green Heron
U
Black-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Wood Stork
O*
SWANS, GEESE AND DUCKS
Mute Swan
C
Tundra Swan
U
Trumpeter Swan
R
Snow Goose
O*
Canada Goose
C
Wood Duck
C
Mallard
C
American Black Duck
U
Gadwall
R
Northern Pintail
R
American Wigeon
U
Eurasian Wigeon
O*
Northern Shoveler
R
Blue-winged Teal
C
Green-winged Teal
U
Canvasback
U
Redhead
U
Lesser Scaup
U
Ring-necked Duck
U
Greater Scaup
C
Long-tailed Duck
U
White-winged Scoter
U
Surf Scoter
O
Black Scoter
Common Goldeneye
C
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Su
Fa
Wi
U
C
O
O*
R
U
U
R
Updated 2010 - A. Van Zoeren
Status
Locations, Habitats, Notes
T, B Mig-LM; Nst-NL
B
U
R
NL, MP, OC, TL, LM; Inland Waters
LM
LM especially seen at Glen Haven
O*
O*
C
R
R
C
R
C
C
B
SC, B? MP, OC; Cattail Wetland
T, B MP, OC; Cattail Wetland
R
LM shore, inland waters; Nst-not locally
MP, OC; Wetland
O*
C U
O* O*
O*
C
R
C
C
C
R
O*
U
O*
O*
O*
R
O*
C
O
R
R
C
C
C
U
R
R
U
B
SC
C
R
R
R
C
U
B
B
B
B
B
O*
U
C
NL, MP, OC, TL; Inland waters
Ex, B Widespread. Alien from Europe
Little Glen Lake
B? LM, Inland waters; Re-introduced - 2006
C
U
U
U
C
U
U
O
LM
Mig-LM; Nst-South Manitou
C
U
U
O
O*
C
O*
13
Widespread
NL, MP, TL, OC; Inland waters
Widespread
MP, OC; Inland waters
NL, MP, OC; Inland waters
OC, NL
NL, MP, OC; Inland waters
MP, OC; Inland waters
NL, MP, TL, OC; Inland waters
NL, MP, TL, OC; Inland waters
OC, MP
LM, OC
LM, OC
NL, MP, OC; Inland waters
LM,
LM; Often seen at Glen Haven
LM
LM, OC
Species
√
Sp
Su
Fa
SWANS, GEESE AND DUCKS (CONTINUED)
Bufflehead
C O* C
Hooded Merganser
U
U
U
Red-breasted Merganser
C
R
U
Common Merganser
C
C
C
Ruddy Duck
O*
DIURNAL RAPTORS
Black Vulture
O*
Turkey Vulture
C
C
U
Osprey
R
O O*
Northern Goshawk
R
R
R
Sharp-shinned Hawk
C
R
U
Cooper’s Hawk
R
R
R
Northern Harrier
U
R
R
Red-shouldered Hawk
U
R
U
Broad-winged Hawk
C
R
C
Red-tailed Hawk
C
U
C
Rough-legged Hawk
U
U
Golden Eagle
R O*
Bald Eagle
U
U
U
American Kestrel
U
U
U
Merlin
U
R
R
Peregrine Falcon
O
O
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
Wild Turkey
C
C
C
Ruffed Grouse
U
U
U
Ring-necked Pheasant
R
R
R
Northern Bobwhite
0
0
0
RAILS, COOTS AND CRANES
Virginia Rail
R
R
R
Sora
U
U
Common Moorhen
O*
American Coot
R O*
Sandhill Crane
U
R
SHOREBIRDS
Black-bellied Plover
R
R
American Golden Plover
O*
Killdeer
C
C
C
Semipalmated Plover
U
U
Piping Plover
R
R
American Avocet
O*
Greater Yellowlegs
R
R
Lesser Yellowlegs
U
U
Solitary Sandpiper
C
C
Spotted Sandpiper
C
C
Wi
Status
C
R
O
U
B
B
B
R
R
R
O
R
R
B
SC
SC, B
B
B
SC, B
T, B
B
B
Locations, Habitats, Notes
OC, LM, TL
OC, MP, NL; Inland Waters
LM, OC
LM, OC
Widespread
Mig - LM Shoreline
OC; Forest
Mig-LM Shoreline
OC, NL, NF, PO; Field and Wetland
OC, TL
Mig - LM shoreline, PO
NF, PO
NF
LM Shoreline
LM shoreline, OC, TL, NL
Mig-LM shoreline; Nst-NF, PO
Mig and Nst-LM shoreline
LM shoreline
U
O
O*
SC, B
B
T, B
E
C
U
R
0
B
Widespread
B
OC, TF, TL
Ex, B? NF, PO; Fields
B?
B?
B?
SC
B
O
B
E, B
B
14
OC, MP; Wetland cattails
OC, MP; Wetland cattails
MP, NL; Inland Lakes
Mig-PO, NF Nst-PO, OC
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline, PO, NF, MP
LM shoreline
Mig-LM shoreline; Nst-PP, NMI
LM shoreline, PP
LM shoreline, PP
OC, NL, MP, LM Shoreline
LM Shoreline
Species
SHOREBIRDS (CONTINUED)
Willett
Marbled Godwit
Whimbrel
Upland Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Red Knot
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Snipe
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Phalarope
GULLS AND TERNS
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte’s Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster’s Tern
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
CUCKOOS
Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
OWLS
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
√
Sp
Su
O*
O*
O*
O
U
R
C
O*
R
O*
U
U
R
U
C
O*
U
O*
O*
R
O*
R
O*
O
R
O*
R
R
R
U
O*
Fa
Wi
B
R
C
Locations, Habitats, Notes
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
Nst-NF, PO
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
R
R
U
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
U
O
U
U
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
Mig—NL, PO
PO, OC, NF; Fields, wetlands
O*
B
SC
O*
O*
U
O
C
C
C
C
R
U
R
R
O*
U
R
R
C
C
R
O*
R
U
R
U
C
U
C
U
C
U
U
U
U
U
O
O*
R
U
I
U
R
O
O
O
R
U
R
U
U
R
U
R
R
U
I
U
R
U
O*
C
C
R
Status
LM
LM, especially Glen Haven and PP
B
B
T, B?
T
T
U
C
LM shoreline
LM Shoreline especially PP, GHB
LM Shoreline
LM Shoreline
Ex, B? Around farms
B
Widespread
B
B
15
Widespread
LM shoreline
LM shoreline
T,
E
B?
B
B
B
Forest edges
Forest edges
NL, TL
NL, TL, OC, TF; Mature forest
SB; Dunes
NL, TL, TF, OC; Mature forest
Species
√
Sp
Su
Fa
Wi
NIGHTHAWKS
Common Nighthawk
R R R
Whip-Poor-Will
O O
SWIFTS,HUMMINGBIRDS AND KINGFISHERS
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
WOODPECKERS
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Three-toed Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
FLYCATCHERS
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Great-crested Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
SHRIKES AND VIREOS
Northern Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
Warbling Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
JAYS AND CROWS
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
U
C
C
U
C
C
R
C
U
U
R
U
C
C
R
R
U
C
C
O*
C
U
C
U
O
B
B
B
Old buildings
Widespread
OC, NL, MP, PP; Inland waters
U
R
U
C
C
O
O
U
C
C
B
B
B?
B
B
OC, NL, PM
O*
C
U
O
U
SC
B
B
PO, NF, OC, MP
NF, OC, TF
B
B?
TF, OC
B?
B
OC; Shrubby Wetlands
OC, MP, TL; Forest
B
B
NF, OC, MP, SB; Yards and buildings
1974 - North Manitou
NL, MP, OC; Forest
B
Widespread , OC, NF, NL; Fields
R R
C U
R
U
C U
O O
O* O*
C C C
O*
C C U
O*
O*
C C U
O*
U
U U
O O
O*
U U
R O* O*
O*
O*
C C C
R R
U U U
C
C
U
Locations, Habitats, Notes
B
B?
O
C
R
U
C
O
C
C
C
Status
C
C
U
C
C
U
16
Widespread; Forest
Widespread
Widespread
NF, PO; Fields
E, B?
B
B?
MP, TL, NL; Inland lakes
B
B?
B
Widespread; OC, TF; Forest
NL; Forest
OC
B
B
B
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread; OC, NF, NL, PO
Species
√
Sp
Su
Fa
Wi
Status
LARKS AND SWALLOWS
Horned Lark
C
U
U O*
B
Barn Swallow
C
C
C
B
Cliff Swallow
R
R
B
N. Rough-winged Swallow
U
U
B
Bank Swallow
C
C
R
B
Tree Swallow
C
C
R
B
Purple Martin
R
R
B?
CHICKADEES, CREEPERS, TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES
Black-capped Chickadee
C
C
C
C
B
Brown Creeper
U
R
U
O
B
Tufted Titmouse
C
C
C
C
B
White-breasted Nuthatch
C
C
C
C
B
Red-breasted Nuthatch
C
C
C
C
B?
WRENS
Marsh Wren
R
R
R
SC, B?
Sedge Wren
R
R
R
B?
Carolina Wren
O
O
O
O
House Wren
U
U
U
B
Winter Wren
U
U
U
O
B?
KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS
Golden-crowned Kinglet
U
U
U
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
C
O
C
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
R
R
R
B
THRUSHES
Eastern Bluebird
C
C
C
B
Townsend’s Solitare
O*
Swainson’s Thrush
U
R
U
Veery
U
U
U
B
Gray-cheeked Thrush
R
R
Hermit Thrush
C
U
C
B
Wood Thrush
U
U
U
B
American Robin
C
C
C
R
B
Varied Thrush
O*
O*
CATBIRDS AND THRASHERS
Gray Catbird
C
C
C O*
B
Northern Mockingbird
R
R
R
O
B
Brown Thrasher
U
U
U
B
PIPITS, WAXWINGS AND STARLINGS
American Pipit
R
R
Bohemian Waxwing
I
I
I
Cedar Waxwing
C
C
C
C
B
European Starling
C
C
C
U
Ex, B
17
Locations, Habitats, Notes
Mig - LM shoreline, Dunes
MP, Nst - buildings, bridges
Nst - Buildings
MP
Nst - LM Shoreline, Dunes
Widespread, NL, TL, OC,
All locations
MP, TL, TF; Forest
Widespread
Forest
Conifers
OC; Cattails
PO, NF; Field
TF, NL, OC
OC. TL, NL; Wetland, swamp
OC; Coniferous forest
Mig - NL, OC, TL, MP
PO, NF; Open Fields
TF; Forest
TF, OC; Forest
TF; Forest
Widespread
Widespread; Shrubby edges
OC, TF, MP, NF; Shrubby edges
Mig - LM shoreline, Dunes
Widespread
Widespread
Species
√
Sp
Su
WOOD WARBLERS
Tennessee Warbler
U
Nashville Warbler
C
U
Orange-crowned Warbler
R
Blue-winged Warbler
O O*
Golden-winged Warbler
R
R
Northern Parula
U
R
Yellow Warbler
C
C
Chestnut-sided Warbler
U
R
Magnolia Warbler
U
R
Cape May Warbler
U
Blackburnian Warbler
U
R
Black-throated Blue Warbler
U
U
Cerulean Warbler
O* O*
Black-throated Green Warb.
C
C
Yellow-rumped Warbler
C
U
Palm Warbler
C
Pine Warbler
C
C
Prairie Warbler
R
R
Blackpoll Warbler
R
Bay-breasted Warbler
R
Yellow-throated Warbler
O*
Black and White Warbler
C
U
American Redstart
C
C
Prothonotary Warbler
O*
Worm-eating Warbler
O*
Common Yellowthroat
C
C
Mourning Warbler
U
U
Connecticut Warbler
O
Kentucky Warbler
O*
Northern Waterthrush
U
U
Ovenbird
C
C
Canada Warbler
U
R
Hooded Warbler
O* O*
Wilson’s Warbler
U
Yellow-breasted Chat
O
TANAGERS, CARDINALS AND ALLIES
Scarlet Tanager
C
U
Western Tanager
O*
Dickcissel
I
I
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
C
C
Indigo Bunting
C
C
Northern Cardinal
U
U
SPARROWS AND ALLIES
Eastern Towhee
U
U
Chipping Sparrow
C
C
Clay-colored Sparrow
O
O
Fa
Wi
U
U
O*
Status
B
B?
O
C
R
R
R
R
R
C
C
C
U
B?
B
B
B
O*
B
B
SC
B
B
B
E, B
R
R
Locations, Habitats, Notes
OC
OC
OC
OC
OC
OC
Nst-OC, TL, MP, NL
Nst-OC, NL,
OC
OC
OC
OC
OC, TF, GHB
OC, TL, MP, NL,
OC, NL, MP
Nst-GHB, OC; Coniferous forest
Nst-GHB; Shrubby fore dunes
OC
OC
C
C
T
B
B
SC
OC, TF; Forest
Widespread
C
R
B
B?
Widespread; Inland waters
OC,
U
C
R
B
B?
B?
SC
OC, Dune Trail
OC, TF, NL; Forest
OC
R
OC
U
B
NL, TL, OC, MP, TF
C
C
U
SC
B
B
B
NF
NL, TF, OC, MP,
OC, PO, NL, SB, NF; Shrubby Fields
OC, GHB; Coniferous forest
B?
B
B?
SB
Widespread
U
C
O
U
O
18
Species
√
Sp
Su
SPARROWS AND ALLIES (CONTINUED)
Field Sparrow
U
U
American Tree Sparrow
C
Vesper Sparrow
C
C
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
U
U
Henslow’s Sparrow
O*
LeConte’s Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
U
U
Song Sparrow
C
C
Lincoln’s Sparrow
U O*
Swamp Sparrow
C
C
Fox Sparrow
U
Harris’s Sparrow
O* O*
White-crowned Sparrow
C
White-throated Sparrow
C
U
Dark-eyed Junco
C
O
Lapland Longspur
R
Snow Bunting
U
BLACKBIRDS
Baltimore Oriole
C
C
Orchard Oriole
O* O
Eastern Meadowlark
C
C
Western Meadowlark
O
O
Bobolink
U
U
Red-winged Blackbird
C
C
Yellow-headed Blackbird
O* O*
Rusty Blackbird
R
Brewer’s Blackbird
O
O
Common Grackle
C
C
Brown-headed Cowbird
C
C
FINCHES AND OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow
U
U
Evening Grosbeak
R
O
American Goldfinch
C
C
Pine Siskin
U
O
Common Redpoll
I
House Finch
C
C
Purple Finch
U
U
Pine Grosbeak
I
White-winged Crossbill
Red Crossbill
O* O*
Fa
U
C
C
O*
U
O*
U
C
U
U
U
O*
C
C
C
R
U
Wi
Status
B?
I
B
SC, B
R
O*
O*
R
U
NF, PO; Fields
Mig - Widespread
SB, GHB, NF; Fields and Foredunes
NF, PO; Fields
B
B
Widespread
B?
OC, TL, NL, MP; Wetlands
B?
I
C
Locations, Habitats, Notes
B
B
B
SC
B
B
SC
Mig-Widespread
OC,
Mig-Widespread
LM shoreline
SB, LM shoreline; Dunes and shore
Widespread
PO, NF; Fields
PO, NF; Fields
PO, NF; Fields
Widespread
C
R
R
O
C
C
O*
R
B
B
B
U
I
C
I
I
C
U
I
I
O*
Ex, B?
B?
B
B
Farms
Ex, B
B
Widespread
U
R
C
U
I
C
U
NL
Widespread
Widespread
Widespread
Conifers
To help improve future editions of this booklet and add to our knowledge of the birds of
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore please send additions , corrections and suggestions
to: alice.vanzoeren@gmail.com
19
References
Field Guides
There are many good field guides available. Each birder has different
favorites. Some suggested guides:
The Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, David Allen
Sibley (2003) Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY. — Very nice art work.
Includes illustrations of many seasonal and age-related plumage
variations.
Birds of North America, Robbins, C. S.; Bruun, B.; Zim, H. S.; Singer, A.
(2001). Golden guide, St. Martin’s Press, New York, NY. — Good, basic,
field guide to bird identification. Includes sonogram illustrations of
bird songs.
The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America, by Donald and
Lillian Stokes (2010) Little, Brown and Co. New York, NY.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, by
Dunn, J.L.; Alderfer, J. (2008) National Geographic
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America, (2008) Houghton
Mifflin Co.
Other References
Birds of Leelanau County and Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore, Francke, C. and Graf, L. (1994). Conventional Graphics,
Traverse City, MI. — Local bird information including record dates and
abundance. Not intended for bird identification.
Sibley's Birding Basics, David Allen Sibley (2002) Alfred A. Knopf, New
York, NY. — Information about identifying birds, bird biology, bird
ecology, and much more. Not a big book but packed with information.
Peterson Field Guide Series: Birding by Ear (also More Birding by
Ear) Walton, R. K. and Lawson, R. W. (2002). Houghton Mifflin Company,
New York, NY. — Extensive references to bird songs on CD.
Internet resources
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: www.nps.gov/slbe/ —
Visitor information, maps, natural history information, photos and
more. A bird checklist and a brochure about piping plovers can be
found on the website under “Plan your visit”, then “brochures”.
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology: www.birds.cornell.edu/ — Bird
information, recordings, photos, citizen science projects and research.
20
Help Protect Birds —




Keep pets on leashes and obey the no-pet signs.
Don’t feed wildlife or leave garbage. This attracts predators that
also prey on birds and their young.
Keep away from nests or nesting birds. Watch with binoculars
from a distance. Even if we don’t touch anything, we leave our
scent which may lead predators to the nest.
Try not to disturb the birds you are watching. This is not only
good for the birds but also for you. You will see and learn a lot
more if the birds are doing what they normally do rather than
reacting to your presence.
Red-tailed Hawk - Juvenile
A word about Botulism E:
Since 2006, bird deaths due to Botulism E poisoning have been
occurring during summer and fall at Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore. For more information or to report dead birds on the beach
call 231-326-5134. Since research is being conducted, please don’t
remove carcasses without first contacting park natural resources staff.
21
Lesser Yellowlegs